A driver who was caught with a large hunting knife in the back of his car had earlier taken it off a child.

Peter Maguire (37) claimed that he saw children playing with the knife and he took it off them because he knew it was dangerous. He then threw it in the back of his car.

Judge Patrick Clyne confiscated the knife and ordered that it be destroyed.

Judge Clyne also fined Maguire €250 and disqualified him from driving for two years.

The defendant admitted before Tallaght District Court to driving without insurance and possession of a sharply-pointed knife.

Sergeant Eithne Madden said gardai were on routine patrol on Main Street, Tallaght on August 16 last when they stopped Maguire driving a 2001-registered vehicle.

Sgt Madden said that gardai searched the car and found a large green hunting knife in the pocket behind the driver's seat. The sergeant said there was also no insurance on the car.

The court heard that Maguire, with an address at Donomore Avenue in Tallaght, has more than 40 previous convictions, but hasn't been in trouble for a number of years.

Playing

Defence solicitor Eddie O'Connor said Maguire had taken the knife off a group of children who had been playing near his home. Mr O'Connor said Maguire, a father-of-four, accepted that he had a "chequered past", but he hadn't been in trouble for some time.

Mr O'Connor also said that Maguire was trying to get his life back on track.

In relation to driving without insurance, Mr O'Connor said Maguire had bought the car and realised he should have taken out insurance on it.